WW1 ROYAL FLYING CORPS (RFC) OFFICERS SIDE CAP
History
The Royal Flying Corps was the air arm of the British Army before and during the First World War until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1 April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force. During the early part of the war, the RFC supported the British Army by artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance. This work gradually led RFC pilots into aerial battles with German pilots and later in the war included the strafing of enemy infantry and emplacements, the bombing of German military airfields and later the strategic bombing of German industrial and transport facilities. The RFC also had home defence squadrons that attacked Zeppelin and Gotha Bomber raids on the UK.
Item Description
This cap is indeed a rare find and was purchased locally here in Western Australia. It is an Officers grade cap in Khaki cotton material, fully lined sporting a RFC cap badge and RFC buttons to the front. The previous owner had a purpose made box constructed to house the cap and keep it in its original condition. The cap does show signs of field use commensurate with its age and use.